Epicurus would probably have said that education is the most important gift you can give a child, along with self-discipline. Forgive me for repeating something I recently wrote, but it is so important that it bears repeating – frequently!

Many people seem to think that schools and universities have to train you for a job. Actually, while a job is important, it is even more important to be able to absorb knowledge, know how to use it, to enjoy learning and be able to think for yourself, without being told what to think, and defend what you believe and defend it in good English. Training is something that comes after an education!

And education has to start very young as well. If a child is unmotivated and indifferent to knowledge and what makes the world go round at the age of 13 I think you have lost him for good. Early childhood education is essential, which does not infer some competitive race as to whether little Jimmy can or cannot do long division by 5 years old. It does infer a grasp of the language and how to get on with others at school, to quote just two objectives. The idea that life is about getting a job and earning money is a product of thinktanks and people who are themselves under-educated.